Sunday, March 27, 2005

The world has suddenlywokenup to the fact that Paul Wolfowitz, who's been nominated as next president of the World Bank, is conducting a romantic relationship with Tunisian-born Shaha Ali Riza, the bank’s former senior gender co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and currently a communications advisor in the ME and NA Dept. Bloghead noted their relationship last August.The prospect of Wolfowitz becoming head honcho is apparently making staff -- and others looking for any excuse to block his nomination -- uncomfortable:

World Bank regulations forbid couples to work on the staff if one reports directly to the other — an unlikely eventuality in their case. Through a spokesman, Wolfowitz stated enigmatically: “If a personal relationship presents a potential conflict of interest, I will comply with bank policies to resolve the issue.”

I hope that doesn't mean his girlfriend is going to end up giving up her job on his account.